Heat exchanger apparatus



Patented Dec. 30, 1941 HEAT EXCHANGER APPARATUS Harold W. Fisher, Cranford, N. J., assigner to Standard Oil Development Company, a corporation of Delaware Application December 29, 1939, Serial No. 311,453-

2 Claims.

The present invention relates to a heat exchange apparatus, and more particularly, it relates to a device in which provision is made for a high quantity of ow of a hot iluid with a minimum imposition of back pressure on the source of said fluid. Specically, the apparatus provides for the heating of a cool or cold fluid material by means of hot exhaust gases, as from an internal combustion engine under the initial pressure of said gases.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a means for boiling a liquid for use as in the generator of an absorption type refrigeration system. It is also an object of the invention to provide a combined heat exchanger device and exhaust muilier for use with internal combustion engines. 'I'hese and other objects of the invention may be fully understood from the following description, when it is read in conjunction 'with the accompanying drawing, in which Fig. 1 is a vertical section through a device of the character set forth; and

Fig. 2 is a sectional view of the apparatus taken along the line II-II of Fig. 1.

Referring to the drawing, the numeral I designates the shell of an enlarged chamber in an exhaust manifold line, or the like, connected in the line by means of the reducer portions 2. Within the chamber is disposed a core member, which as shown, is composed of a plurality of sections joined as a unit by a tie rod 3. As more clearly illustrated by Fig. 2, each section is composed of a rim element 4, having inwardly extending radial arms 5 and a hub portion 6. Substantially triangular vanes 1 are disposed coextensively with an edge of each arm, with the apex portion adjacent the hub. The vanes may be inclined slightly in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction, to impart a turbulent or pointed toward the walls, their apexes adjacent to those of the next section in such fashion as to provide a series of open receptacles disposed in augment along a helically curved path. 'I'he l maximum diameter of yeach section or of the core is so adjusted as to provide for a space between the bottom of the grooves or receptacles 9 and the inner wall of the manifold I in which may be disposed a conduit I0 helically wound about the separator lns 8 of each core section. As illustrated, the outer diameter of the core is such that when the conduit Ill is wound about the iin portions 8, the entire assembly may be snugly inserted within the manifold or chamber I, with the conduit in 'surface contact with the chamber walls. Suitable inlet and outlet connections with this conduit are provided in the manifold Wall as at II' and I2 respectively. An insulating cover I3 is provided for the manifold in order to reduce heat loss through the manifold.

In the apparatus as shown in Fig. 1, a stream of exhaust gases may )be passed through: the

.manifold I from left to right, while a stream of low boiling refrigerant liquid is led through the conduit I0 from right to left. The exhaust gases striking the vanes 'i are set into turbulent motion swirling outwardly against the fins 8 and with a wiping action over the conduit Ill, providing an intimate contact with all of the elements disposed in the manifold. The heat from the exhaust gases is indirectly transferred to the liquid not only by conduction through the direct contact of gases with the surface of the conduit,

but also indirectly through the core sections and fin members in contact with said conduit.

Although as described, emphasis has been placed on the utility of the device as'a heat exchanger, it should be apparent that by properly proportioning the size of the vanes'l and by suitable adjustment of the angle of their inclination, the structure set forth may function simultaneously as a muiiier for explosion motors of whatever type desired. Likewise, while described in connection with its possible .suitability for use in .conjunction with a refrigerating unit, it should be obvious that the structure is adaptable for use in any structural combination inwhich it is desired to utilize a uid heat exchanger in which it is desired that the flow of the heated medium be not too greatly restricted.

Obviously the apparatus and its utilization may be varied within wide limits without departing from the inventive concept disclosed, and it is not intended 'that the invention shall be limited by any disclosure set forth for the purpose of illustration, but only by the appen'ded claims.

Iciaim:

l. A heat exchanger device of the character described, comprising a tubular chamber in a iluid conduit system, and an exchanger assembly for said chamber consisting of a core of a. plu- Irality of substantially annular baille elements each having a rim, a hub, a plurality of spaced, vaned arms radially between the hub and rim, and a plurality of narrow, elongated fin elements disposed in right angular relation to the edge of said rim and spaced peripherally thereof, a tie rod extending centrally of said baille elements holding them in substantially rigid, spaced relation, the ends of the ns on one element abutting against those of the next adjacent elements, a

series of grooves in the edge portion of each iin element, and a helically wound conduit member disposed in said grooves in surface vcontact with said iins andthe chamber wall, said conduit having inlet and outlet connections through the chamber wall.

2. A heat-exchanger device of the character described, comprising a tubular chamber in a uid conduit system, and an exchanger assembly i'or `said chamber consisting of a core of a pluralityy of substantially annular baille elements each having a rim, a hub, a plurality of spaced, vaned arms radially between the hub and rim, the vanes being inclined to impart turbulent motion to iluid moving through the chamber, and a plurality of narrow, elongated iin elements disposed in right angular relation to the edge `of said rim and spaced peripherally thereof, a

ber wall. 

